Wyoming Republicans Push to Eliminate Gun-Free Zones in Public Places

Wyoming State Sen. Anthony Bouchard (R-Cheyenne) is pushing to eliminate gun-free zones on college and K-12 campuses as well other public areas that currently ban concealed carry.

KOTA reports that Bouchard’s bill, Senate File 75, would not impact the ability of private property owners to set their own policies, but it would prevent publicly funded entities from restricting the exercise of Second Amendment rights.

Part of the motivation for the bill came from the University of Wyoming’s continued ban against concealed carry for self-defense.

The Gillette News Record reports that SF 75 would mean concealed permit holders in Wyoming could carry “anywhere in the state” that is public. “Nearly half of the Senate” is co-sponsoring SF 75, as are “23 members of the 60-person House.”

Bouchard commented on his efforts to secure state preemption of the myriad gun-free zones in the state, saying, “I think the anti-gun crowd has kind of kicked the hornet’s nest a little bit. This is an enumerated right that needs to be protected. The number of sponsors shows some movement in that direction.”